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15 Plants and Herbs That Can Boost Lung Health and Heal Respiratory Infections

The number of people suffering from viral and bacterial infections increases and these are characterized by many different respiratory issues.

In most cases, they are treated with antibiotics, which only contributes to antibiotic resistance, and they are useless against viruses.

Conversely, herbal remedies treat infections, boost lung health, and repair lung damage. The following 15 herbs are the best you can use to improve lung health:

Eucalyptus

This herb has a refreshing aroma that alleviates throat irritation and supports the health of the respiratory system. It is high in cineole, which is a compound that acts as an expectorant, soothes a cough, fights off congestion, and soothes irritated sinus passages.

Sage

This herb treats lung disorders, alleviates a sore throat and cough, and dispels sinusitis. Most of its beneficial properties are due to the volatile oils, like salvene, terpene, thujone, and camphor.In the case of sinusitis, use it as tea or inhale its vapors.

Lobelia

The extracts of Lobelia have a beneficial effect on the multi-drug resistant tumor cells. Its main ingredient, lobeline, helps breathing, thins mucus, breaks up congestion, and relaxes the airways. It is also helpful in the case of a cough and colds, as it relaxes the muscles.

Peppermint

It contains menthol which relaxes the muscles of the respiratory tract and aids breathing. The peppermint oil contains pinene, pulegone, limonene, and caryophyllene, and when dried, this herb contains menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate, methanofuran and cineol. In a combination with menthol, it is a potent decongestant breaks up congestion.

Licorice Root

This herb softens the mucous membranes of the throat and lungs, treats inflammation, soothes irritations, and acts as an expectorant. It is high in saponins which loose the phlegm so the body can easily remove them. Its beneficial compounds are even able to prevent lung cancer.

Cannabis

Cannabis is one of the most powerful anti-cancer herbs, as it triggers the activation of cannabinoid receptors, and mediates the anti-invasive effects of the cannabinoids.

Extraction and inhaling its essential oils treat irritations to the oral cavity which comes from smoking while vaporizing cannabis clears the airways and sinuses and treats and reverses asthma.

Osha Root

Its high camphor content offers potent lung-protecting properties. This herb helps deep breathing by boosting the circulation in the lungs. Osha root also soothes respiratory irritation in case of seasonal sensitivities that flare up the sinuses.

Chaparral

Chaparral is native to the southwest and has powerful detoxifying and lung-supporting qualities. It has powerful antioxidants which soothe irritation, as well as NDGA, which fights histamine response. You can use it in the form of tea or tincture.

Thyme

Thyme has been long used in the case of respiratory tract infections and bacterial infections like pneumonia. It fights against chest congestion due to the essential oils it contains, that have strong anti-fungal, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties.

Oregano

Oregano contains rosmarinic and carvacrol acid, which are natural decongestants and histamine reducers. Oregano oil is even better than antibiotics in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus.

Elecampane

It reduces infections by clearing out excess mucus. It is excellent in the case of lung infections, like bronchitis, and all you need to do is to add a teaspoon of it to a cup of boiling water and drink this tea three times daily for a few weeks.

Lungwort

Since the 17th century, this herb has been commonly used to improve respiratory health and clear up congestion.

Mullein

The flowers and leaves of mullein are used to make an extract that treats inflammation in the respiratory tract, expels excess mucous from the lungs, and clears up the bronchial tubes. You can also use it in the form of tea or a tincture.

Plantain Leaf

This plant alleviates a cough, and relieves the irritation of the mucous membranes, due to the powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial, antitoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties of its compounds. It is also helpful in the treatments of lung infections, cough, and colds.

Coltsfoot

The Native Americans commonly used coltsfoot to improve their lung health. It soothes the mucous membrane, removes mucus from the lungs and bronchial tubes, and alleviates a cough and lung-related conditions, like asthma, and bronchitis.